Don't Rush Beach-driving Vote

OPINION - OUR VIEWS

The County Council's Haste To Pass A Driving Ban Along A Mile Of Daytona Beach Could Make Waste By Failing To Get Residents' Full Support.

December 18, 1996

Not quite so fast.

On Thursday, the Volusia County Council is scheduled to vote on a controversial request to remove cars from a mile-long section of the sands of Daytona Beach.

Although the proposal has considerable merit, the county is making a serious tactical error by trying to push the ordinance through after only one hearing.

If the ordinance passes Thursday, a car-free beach could be created from International Speedway Boulevard (U.S. Highway 92) north to Seabreeze Boulevard. The no-driving rule would go into effect when adequate off-beach parking is provided nearby.

The ordinance is part of an effort to lure a developer to build a multimillion-dollar oceanfront project featuring hotels, businesses and a parking garage.

Yes, it would be prudent for the County Council to support taking cars off the beach in that area. Such a decision could go a long way toward overhauling that decaying area of Daytona Beach.

History could chronicle it as an important move to clean up an area where pedophiles have preyed on runaway boys for 25 years or more. That shame of Daytona Beach was documented by The Orlando Sentinel in a series of stories earlier this year.

The problem isn't with the nature of what is being proposed.

It is the haste and timing of the vote that is wrong.

Although Volusia County only requires one hearing to pass an ordinance, the ordinance the County Council is considering Thursday would have an unusual effect on Daytona Beach. It would be reasonable to have a town meeting or two in that city to hear residents' concerns and suggestions.

There are other reasons why Thursday's timing is bad.

The item is scheduled on the council's agenda for 3:45 p.m. That is a difficult time for working people to attend and speak. The hearing also is during a busy holiday season when people are pressed for time, and some already have made travel plans.

Worse, a hearing on another matter is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. If the agenda is followed, that would leave 15 minutes for a major policy-making decision about the beach.

In addition, two new County Council members who generally support beach driving are to take office in January. In the November election, voters made it clear that they want Ann McFall and Jim Ward making council decisions.

Who is to say that, after these two take office, the new County Council wouldn't reverse any decision made by the current council. So why bother rushing it through?

Eliminating the existing blight in the area and ridding Daytona Beach of the beachfront park where pedophiles have preyed are worthy ideas on their own.

The logic of a no-driving zone should stand the test of time and politics. For it to succeed, though, the zone must have public support. The County Council should give the people of Daytona Beach a chance to air their views.